Morning journal and courier., 1887-09-23
GEN. MERwIN ARRIVES HOME


 He Investigates Two Western Firms,
 One of Which Is Located at Chicago
 NAT. Wheeler Was Head and Front
 tory Condition.
 General s. E. Merwin arrived home from the West at an early hour this morning. He was driven to his Orange street residence, where COURIER reporter was granted an in- terview.
 General Merwin was not aware of MT. Wheeler's arrest until so informed by the reporter. He expressed regret and surprise that the affair should have cu1minated thus.
 General Merwin said: ''I went West partly for business and partly for pleasure. had 8 pleasant trip and reached Chicago in ex- cellent spirits. I had been in Chicago but a short while when I received a telegram from Governor Bigelow. It instructed me to in- quire into the workings of two western con cerns. The telegram stated that one was located at Joliet, H., and the other at Chi cago. was instructed to inform Governor Bigelow by letter as soon as possible as to the effect of my investigation. found an office on Lake street, Chicago, after considerable difficulty, over the door of which was the name of the Chicago Barbed Wire Fence company. The office was occupied by but one man, MT. Wheeler's agent. The details of how learned who was at the head of the conce Tn I related in my letter to Governor Bigelow. I now became convinced that MT. Wheeler was the only one in the firm. The agent told me that he had sold some goods for MT. Wheeler. I learned all that was necessary about the business methods of the concern"
 General Merwin was shown the published I,oxr1 NF- notes through his Chicago agent. He sub stantiated them and said it was true that sheets of notes were forwarded to MT. Wheeler to be issued when occasion demand ed and were signed with the technical name of the Chicago company or corporation. He said it was not the Joliet firm which sent these notes to Mir. Wheeler.
 Continuing, General Merwin said: ''To make long story short found matters as regards the Chicago firm in very unsatis- factory condition. So much for that.
 'T next turned my attention towards Jol- jet. Here l found a company doing business, but liable to be attached at any moment. Their condition was extremely critical and expected to hear of their collapse before returned East. found the Joliet firm in very unsatisfactory condition also"
 At this juncture in the conversation Gen. eral Merwin said that he could not go into the details of the investigation made. It was early morning and he was very tired after his long journey from the West after having come direct as fast as express trains could carry him. He said that there were numerous important points about his investigation which he could not give to the public under any consideration. The investigation was made in the interests of the Merchants bank, of which he is director, and he would first make his report to them. He said further that he did not start West with any intention of looking into the condition of any of MT. Wheeler's busi- ness affairs, but as has already been stated he did not learn of the matter until he had reached Chicago. He said he was greatly surprised at the way the matter had turned out, as he had expected at first that it would be all settled up in 8 week or so. He ex- pressed sincere sorrow for Mir. Wheeler and his family.
 "When did you hear of your appointment as trustee on the insolvent firm of B. s. Wheeler & Col" was asked.
 ''I heard of it under rather peculiar cir cumstances," he replied. 'sI received tele- gram asking me if would accept the trus- teeship. replied back that could not and respectfully declined. Day before yesterday I received a letter informing me of my ap- pointment as trustee It rather took me by surprise?"
 ''But, general, I suppose that you will make the best of it now that you are ap- pointedP'
 "Don't be too sure of that" was the reply. "I may not, and there is fair probability that I shall decline to serve in the capacity of trustee. But I can't say definitely what I shall do tonight, or rather this morning You see if it weren't for the storm I might expect the sun to rise shortly. I will the first thing this morning confer with the bank men, make my report and talk the matter up with them"
 In reply to further questions he said laugh ingly as an excuse for silence that es a trus- tee he had no right to discuss the matter. As the reporter took his leave he said: "Just say found things in very, very unsatisfactory condition"
 It is thought that General Merwin will finally decide to accept the office of trustee. It is to be hoped that he will, as better or more capable man it would be hard to find. He has had experience in the office,